[Clinical features and prognostic analysis of 51 drug-induced case of liver failure].

OBJECTIVE: To enhance the understanding of drug-induced liver failure by analyzing the etiology, clinical features and prognosis associated factors of patients with drug-induced liver failure.

METHODS: Fifty-one cases of drug-induced liver failure admitted to our hospital from 2002 - 2007 were reviewed according to their drug history, clinical features, Laboratory tests, complications and prognosis associated factors.

RESULTS: The predominant etiological drugs were the traditional Chinese medicine (54.9%) and antitubercular agent (25.5%). Two predominant types of liver failure were acute liver failure (13.7%) and subacute liver failure (78.4%). The common complications were electrolyte disturbance, ascites and hepatic encephalopathy. The total improvement rate in patients was 29.4%. The incidences of hepatic encephalopathy, electrolyte disturbance and PTA value had statistical difference between improvement group and ineffective group.

CONCLUSION: The etiologies of drugs-induced liver failure are traditional Chinese medicine and antitubercular agent in China. The prognosis of drug-induced liver failure remains poor. During the therapy of these drugs treatment, liver function test should be monitored.